Looking for some advice/imput on new build

[PNW]

Hey,
If money wasn't holding you back, what manufacturer, caliber, glass on a long distance/hunting build?

Fierce mntn reaper, cadex defense, accuracy international
6.5 prc, 7mm prc, 300 prc
Ziess, Smitt bender, Nightforce?

Like to hear some opinions and why you feel that way!!

I haven't shot the 7mm prc but have read alot of good things about it, minus the cost per round lol

Thanks!

 

[Clocked92]

I’d be phoning Insite arms to build me a rifle to my exact specs using every part specific to what I intend on using it for. Stock, barrel length, material, profile, action, bottom metal, etc.

I like a 7mm for any big game in North America. I’d probably go 7 saum or 7prc.

Glass… that can depend on your weight goals of the rifle, but I would probably try the Leupold Mk5 3-18 if it’s a hunting rifle.

Having a gun custom built for you is a fun process and it can be tailored to your exact needs way better than purchasing one of the high-end factory rifles off the shelf.

 

[Mystic Precision]

Been helping customers answer these types of questions for a very long time.

The best path to success is to focus on the goals and objectives vs the bits and parts. The more specific you can be about the useage, target, environment, wants and needs, the parts will sort themself out in a couple of mins... and that will cost what it costs.

"Long distance/hunting rifle"... Is that 300yds? Is that 3000yds?
Are you parking in a blind waiting for a B&C target at the other end of a farmers field or walking up 6000ft?

There are rarely wrong rifles... just the wrong decisions that built that rifle.

Jerry

 

[kthomas]

What are your goals?

Do you have a desired weight limit? What ranges would you like to shoot out to? What size of animal are you hunting/energy you want on target? Do you reload, or factory ammo only?

 

[PNW]

Hey Jerry,
long distance i was referring too is approx 500 to 1200 yds. I usually shoot in the lower mainland and hunt around 3000 ft. Lighter is probably better as I don't road hunt lol

There is a good chance i will be calling you this year to price out a few options. Thanks

 

[PNW]

@kthomas

Goals are to have a very accurate gun capable of hitting plates past 1000 yds, light enough to comfortably hike/hunt with, big enough caliber to ethically bring down any big game in north america. I dont reload yet but having been saving brass for a long time.

What do you have in mind? Gun choice, caliber?

 

[wallz]

I had very similar goals when I started down this path a few years back. I was shooting a carbon barreled fierce in 300 WM. With a 26" barrel, added brake, I felt it was just too long to be carrying. Was an awesome shooter, but the barrel rise after the shot from recoil was just too much for me. The recoil per say was fine, as I could sit and shoot 20 ish plus rounds from the bench with no sore shoulder, but when in the field the barrel jump was more than necessary.

That is when I decided to go a custom rifle in 6.5 PRC. Almost the same ballistics as the 300 WM, but with less recoil. I pieced it together the way I wanted it, with the components I wanted, and I'm happy with it. I practice with it out to 1000m on a regular basis, but now have a dedicated bench rifle for fun that I use more for trigger time with a 6.5 CM. There are many more than capable calibers to go with these days, its just a matter of weighing out component availability, (brass), bullet availability and how much felt recoil you want in the end to get you with a decent amount of umph out at distance. Yes bullet placement is important in the end, but you have to have enough energy out there as well for the bullet to do its thing.

My specs: and I realize this is not for everyone, just what I wanted and did.
Defiance anti X short action, 22" proof carbon barrel, non threaded end, XLR carbon magnesium chassis, 4-20 ZCO scope. Rifle loaded sits just over the 9 lbs mark. Easy to carry, nice to shoot with less recoil and muzzle jump then the fierce was.

I went all out on the optic, as I hate not being able to see what I shoot at, at the most of trying times, first light, last light. Yes I have had instances at last light, or even first light with fog that through my optic was able to discern the game was non shooter, that others with lesser optics would not have had that ability. This is a personal choice to go a bit lighter of rifle, and a bit heavier optic and still be at an acceptable overall weight. My pet peeve is hearing or even running into it myself that you spend all this time and money and effort to get into game, and then not be able to discern if it is a shooter and have it walk away from you. Yes I have had this happen too often in my younger years to know that I did not want it to keep happening. Sometimes that extra 10-15 min of usable light that the better optics allow you to get is worth it, again everyone has a choice there.

 

[kthomas]

6.5 PRC is an incredibly versatile all-around cartridge.

Great ballistics, good quality ammo, can be ran in a short action, and can arguably take down any game in North America.

If hunting bigger game is going to be what the rifle is mostly using, you could go 7 or 300 PRC - but you lose some of the versatility of the 6.5.

It's all a tradeoff, and it depends on what tradeoffs you are willing to make. But the 6.5 PRC is arguably the best jack of all trades.

 

[Robmcleod82]

I built myself a rifle for similar purposes recently. I used a manners LRH stock, hawkins hunter bottom metal, defiance anti long action, #4 contour benchmark barrel at 26" and an area 419 muzzle brake. I topped it with a nightforce nx8 4-32 in mdt rings. My rifle is chambered in 7-375 ruger (ballistically twin to a 28 nosler) but for the non wildcat inclined the same build in a 28 nos, 300 prc or win, 7prc, or 6.5 prc would fill your niche about perfect in my opinion. My 7-375 and the 28 nosler are HARD on barrels like 800 rounds ish. If i remember my rifle without scope was a bit over 7 pounds.